(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, made the following statement regarding news reports that the Obama administration may be considering a swap of convicted Cuban spies for hostage Alan Gross. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“It’s incredible that anyone can think it is a good idea to exchange Cuban spies, who had enjoyed the constitutional protections afforded to them in the United States, for Alan Gross, who is a hostage of the Cuban regime. Instead, we should pressure the Castro regime so that Alan Gross is freed without preconditions. An exchange of spies, who jeopardized our national security, for Alan Gross is unjust and irresponsible.”